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Thursday, October 31, 2013Sindh CM satisfied with operation against ‘criminals’
* 7,794 criminals arrested during 5,287 raids conducted by Sindh police since September
Staff Report
KARACHI: Sindh Chief Minister Sindh Syed Qaim Ali Shah expressed satisfaction over the achievements and performance of police during targeted operations being carried out against the terrorists, target killers, extortions and kidnappers in Karachi, saying that it would continue until peace was fully restored in the metropolis.
He was presiding over a law and order review meeting at the Chief Minister House on Wednesday.
Addressing the meeting, the chief minister said the continuing targeted operation had put a good impact on the civil society, and that people were coming out from fear and lodging their complaints with the police.
He agreed with proposals floated in the meeting for providing financial package to the officers on account of their brave action for arresting notorious criminals, investigating, prosecuting their cases and getting them convicted. “The government is serious not only to arrest but get the criminals convicted,” he said.
In the meeting it was further decided that high profile cases including that of Wali Khan Babar, Naimat Ullah Randhawa Advocate and other cases of similar nature would be transferred to the other districts situated at far-flung areas of the province.
The meeting was informed that as many as 7,794 criminals had been arrested during 5,287 raids conducted by Sindh Police since September 2013. IGP Sindh Shahid Nadeem while giving the breakdown of the arrested criminals informed that during the targeted raids, 350 encounters took place in which 35 criminals were killed. “Out of 7,794 arrested criminals, 107 were involved in murders, 54 in target killings, 19 terrorism, 49 in extortion, 23 in kidnapping for ransom, 198 were dacoits, 115 in street crime, 930 in narcotics, 1,492 in Arms Act, 1,839 absconders and 2,733 in other crimes,” he added.
He also informed that out of the arrested criminals, 3,704 were challenged, three of them being convicted, while others were under trial. 1,843 weapons and 87 bombs/hand-grenades were also recovered during the operation, he added.
Baloch further apprised the CM and other officials that as many as 145 police personnel were martyred and 117 cases were registered during the continuing operation against militants in the city.
Even Rangers officials briefed the meeting and told the participants about their performance. Rangers’ spokesperson said that the paramilitary force conducted about 585 raids, catching 1,434 criminals and recovering 1,200 weapons.
Many of the arrested also belonged to the banned Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan, added the official. The proposed ban on free mobile applications such as Viber, Tango, Skype and Whatsapp also came under discussion, and it was decided that the federal government would be approached in this regard.
The participants also expressed the dissatisfaction over the assurance made by mobile companies that all illegal SIMs would be blocked by October 20, 2013; however, it wasn’t done so.
Security arrangements for Moharram and shrines were also highlighted, and the CM directed the relevant departments to beef up security such that the citizens do not face any untoward situation. “Foolproof security measures are needed to maintain law and order during Moharram-ul-Haram. Strict vigilance should be made on the movement of vehicles, no parking be allowed near the Imambargahs, and procession routes must be cleared for security,” he directed.
He was informed that about 2,000 police officers would be deployed in the city, along with Rangers to maintain the law and order during the month of mourning.
Sindh Minister for Information Sharjeel Memon, Chief Secretary Sindh Chaudhry Muhammad Ijaz, Additional Chief Secretary (Home) Syed Mumtaz Ali Shah, and Secretary to the CM Naveed Kamran Baloch among others attended the meeting.
Courtesy www.dailytimes.com.pk